Changing Views

The Deutsche Börse started its renowned photography collection in 1999. Comprising 1,800 works, it features iconic artists including Diane Arbus, Walker Evans, Bernd & Hilla Becher and Rineke Dijkstra, engaging with the central themes of contemporary practice – across landscapes, portraits, still life and street photography – from the mid-20th century onward. Changing Views is a new series of four back-to-back exhibitions at Foam Amsterdam, delving into the archives.

Germany (3 – 19 May) is the first chapter, to which the Bechers’ work is central. The images of water towers, mine shafts and factories convey the country’s industrial landscape from a neutral and objective viewpoint. Foam’s presentation recognises the so-called “Düsseldorfer Photoschule”, presenting contributions from the duo’s students Thomas Ruff, Thomas Struth and Candida Höfer. Lesser-known practitioners Gerd Danigel, Gabriele and Helmut Nothhelfer and Helga Paris are also featured, offering perspectives from the former East Germany.

The second strand is titled Icons (21 May – 9 June), highlighting resonant images from a diverse array of time periods and cultural backgrounds. Works by Philip-Lorca di Corcia, David Goldblatt, Dana Lixenberg and Martin Parr hold a mirror to society, reflecting communities and how they relate to the environment. Changing social landscapes are the subject of Traces of Disorder, following from 11 – 23 June. Recording the impact of political conflicts, Richard Mosse’s depiction of the Democratic Republic of Congo are captured on 16mm colour infra-red film, which renders otherwise invisible parts of the spectrum. The resulting imagery is vivid and surprising, as the usual greens of jungle and forest are replaced by magenta and violet.

The final part is Youth Culture (25 June – 7 July), turning attention to the lives and attitudes of young people. Susan Meiselas’ influential Prince Street Girls portrays a group of young women on the journey to adulthood, whilst Tobias Zielony’s body of work traverses public spaces. Parking lots and gas stations in Wales, Marsille and Los Angeles become backdrops for social interaction.